John Felske

John Felske has dedicated the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training camp to defense. Felske took over as manager of the Phillies after last season, when they placed fourth in the National League East, and he says the team's 161 errors--second-worst in the league--was a major reason for that disappointing finish. "When you play poor defense it has an effect on everything else, especially your pitching," Felske said.

John Felske has dedicated the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training camp to defense. Felske took over as manager of the Phillies after last season, when they placed fourth in the National League East, and he says the team's 161 errors--second-worst in the league--was a major reason for that disappointing finish. "When you play poor defense it has an effect on everything else, especially your pitching," Felske said.

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Lee Elia today and named coach John Vukovich as interim manager for the remainder of the season. General manager Lee Thomas said next year's manager will come from outside the Phillies organization. Elia was hired on June 18, 1987, replacing John Felske. The Phillies are last in the National League East with a 60-92 record and have lost 33 of their last 47 games.

Philadelphia Phillies Manager John Felske, whose team has been battling to stay out of last place in the National League East, was fired today and replaced by third base coach Lee Elia, former manager of the Chicago Cubs. The changes were announced by team owner Bill Giles at a news conference at Wrigley Field, where the Phillies were scheduled to play the Cubs. Felske, 45, who was named manager of the Phillies in October, 1984, became the first major league manager fired this season.

Steve Carlton, a four-time Cy Young Award winner, was cast off again by the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday, possibly ending the left-hander's 22-year major league career. Manager John Felske announced that Carlton would not be offered a contract. Phillie pitching coach Claude Osteen, a friend and booster of Carlton, was asked if he'd sign him if he were a pitching coach for another team. "Not unless I was desperate," Osteen said. "I would take a young pitcher who can overcome a few mistakes.

The Padres, the only National League Western Division team yet to make a trade in the baseball meetings this week, are still working on finding a speedy leadoff hitter. But should they fail in that quest, sources say they will pursue Philadelphia outfielder Jeff Stone. Because the Phillies have acquired outfielders Milt Thompson from Atlanta and Gary Redus from Cincinnati in the past two days, Stone may be expendable. "He (Stone) is available," Phillie president Bill Giles said Wednesday.

The Philadelphia Phillies fired manager Lee Elia Friday and named coach John Vukovich as interim manager for the rest of the season. General Manager Lee Thomas said that next year's manager will come from outside the organization and will be named as quickly as possible after the end of this season. Elia was hired on June 18, 1987, replacing John Felske. The Phillies are in the National League East cellar and have lost 33 of their last 47 games.